Arsenal transfer exit decision explained by Mikel Arteta as Gunners boss causes U-turn Mikel Arteta has shed some light on Granit Xhaka’s decision to stay at Arsenal. PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 05:00, Fri, Jan 10, 2020 0 Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta looks on during the Gunners' 2-0 win over Manchester United (Image: GETTY)
Mikel Arteta is confident Granit Xhaka won’t leave Arsenal this month, despite suggestions the midfielder has agreed a deal to leave the club. Xhaka’s future at the Emirates has been up in the air since his outburst at Arsenal fans in September. Related articles Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives update on January transfer plans
The Switzerland international told Gunners supporters to “f**k off” as he was being substituted in the team’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery quickly relieved the midfielder of his duties as captain and handed the armband to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
In late December, it looked like Xhaka was on his way out of Emirates when it was reported he’d agreed personal terms with Hertha Berlin.
Xhaka, however, has started all but one match since Arteta succeeded Emery as Arsenal boss, which has prompted suggestions the 27-year-old will remain at the club. Granit Xhaka's Arsenal future was up in the air just a few weeks ago (Image: GETTY) I think he changed his mind Mikel Arteta on Granit Xhaka potentially leaving Arsenal
And Arteta has revealed a lengthy chat with the former Borussia Monchengladbach man - in which he promised him the club’s full support - has seemingly convinced him to see out the reminder of his contract with the north Londoners.
“The first message for him was that I wanted to understand how he was feeling, why he was feeling that way,” Arteta explained while discussing how he convinced Xhaka to stay.
“I wanted him to hear from me my opinion on him, and that I was ready to support him and that I was ready to push the club to be supportive of him too, because I thought he could be a really, really good player for us and he could enjoy in this football club playing under me.
“I tried to convince him that way. He thought about it, he had a very positive response afterwards, and I think he changed his mind.”
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